HEROShadows of Hope

Naturally I’m compelled to create works around our society. We are a young country, not yet 250 years old, founded on genocide and slavery, and often defined by the haves and have nots. Our last eight years of “hope” brought a lot of this young country’s shadows to the surface, much like how forging steel brings the metal’s imperfections out. This show is inspired by these shadows and juxtaposes them against an abundance of hope that will forge our future.

About the ArtistCasey Courey-Pickering, who goes by the artist name “Hero” (short for The Forged Hero), is a self-taught LA based mixed media stencil artist. Since 2007, he has worked on incorporating new elements and techniques into his art. Prior to becoming an artist himself, Hero immersed himself in graffiti art being influenced by the works of Andy Warhol, Banksy, Jackson Pollock, JR, Richard Hamilton, Shepard Fairey, Basquiat, and David Flores ATC (a local LA artist). In 2009 he moved his stencil work from his studio and canvas to galleries and other mediums. Having begun commissioning his artwork, Hero thought of an idea for a sticker campaign. Being born in the eighties Hero utilized two iconic figures from the eighties to create AlfPacino, this sticker campaign immediately gained popularity worldwide. Hero was hand-selected to beta test and create art for Dynomighty's successful Artist Collective product line. He has also worked on special projects with organizations such as Project Ethos, LA Canvas, Whole Foods, and Vestal.